Can clay roof tiles be repaired?

Restore your clay roof

Clay tiles are highly durable and offer longevity when compared to other roofing materials. But can clay roof tiles be repaired? Put simply, yes! A clay roof can be restored to its former glory. With the right approach, you could even achieve a better aesthetic finish than before.

Clay has useful insulative, UV ray and Class A fire-resistant properties, which is why it’s a popular roofing material for housing developments. Clay roof tiles help your home to stay cool in hot weather and warm in colder conditions. This type of roof tile doesn’t decay and can withstand heavy rain and snowfall.

In many cases, a clay roof could last 100 years or more. Most of the time, problems only occur when a clay roof hasn’t been regularly maintained. An unclean clay roof could be significantly affected by seasonal impacts.

Pros and cons of clay roof tiles

Despite the strength of a clay roof tile, large debris from storms could cause damage and cracks. Although this type of roofing material is highly resistant to high winds and hailstorms, any pressure placed on the tile can cause them to break. Sometimes, clay roof tiles are cracked during installation or roof cleaning. Our team use special CAT ladders when we clean clay roof tiles, which means we never walk on your roof to avoid breakages.

Although incredibly weather resistant, one of the biggest issues with clay roof tiles is when organic matter is left unchecked. After icy temperatures, any moss and lichen growing in between the tiles will expand when thawed. This places pressure on the roof tiles, which can cause cracking. Depending on the tile quality, the surface may also become porous over time due to weathering. This affects the integrity of the tiles, and they can look dull or dirty.

How to repair a clay roof

There are several things to consider when repairing a clay roof:

• Get a roof inspection

  On the ground, stand back from your home and see if you can spot any cracked or missing roof tiles. Unless you can safely access your roofline, never try to inspect your roof by stepping onto the tiles – this is dangerous. Our team are clay roof tile specialists, which means we can carry out your roof inspection safely at height.

• Replace missing clay tiles

  After our inspection, we will advise you if there are any missing or broken roof tiles. Due to our wide network of roofing suppliers, we are able to source replacement tiles to match those on your roof. Sometimes, if the mortar has cracked, we might also need to recement the ridge tiles and chimney areas to prevent water leaks. Known as “repointing”, our skilled team will repair mortar joints in between tiles and brickwork.

• Get your roof cleaned

  If you want to maintain your clay roof, then it’s important to have it professionally cleaned. First, our team will remove any debris and we’ll clear any clogged guttering. After applying a fungicidal wash to kill any micro roots, our team will gently clean your clay roof. Moving across the roof from one small area to the next, each zone is thoroughly cleaned with water. We do not carry out damaging pressure washing.

• RENOTEC® Roof Coating

  The final stage involves applying a protective coating to extend the lifespan of your clay roof tiles. We apply two coats of the RENOTEC® Roof Coating to the tile surface, which has water repellent qualities. This coating has an organic formula and protects clay roof tiles from weather conditions. Available in a range of colours, we usually recommend the clear option, which enhances the natural terracotta shade. RENOTEC® Roof Coating is guaranteed for up to 10 years.

When it comes to clay roof tile repairs, our approach enables you to preserve the integrity of your roof. Not only will we help you achieve an aesthetically pleasing finish, but we can help you prevent water leaks too. A clean and well restored clay roof will make your home look beautiful, so always maintain your roof to a high standard.

Do you have a Grade I or II historical property? Read our case study – Restoring a Clay Tile Roof for a Listed Building.